Compound movable-sided truck hopper

ABSTRACT

A vehicular mounted hopper, for solid fungible goods, having compound hingeably communicating side-bottom elements mechanically movable during unloading from a normal rectiplanar position to variably sloping positions, to cause product thereon to move to a medially positioned conveyor for transfer. Sidebottom element motion is accomplished by cables communicating therewith and movable by winding about an elongate shaft rotatably journaled in the opposed upper medial hopper ends or by hydraulic cylinders as disclosed in a specie. An auxiliary conveyor transfers product at a distance from the hopper.

United States Patent Johnson [54] COMPOUND MOVABLE-SIDED TRUCK HOPPER [72] Inventor: Mike E. Johnson, Rural Route 2, Garfield,

Wash. 99130 [221 Filed: Jan. 26, 1970 211 Appl.No.: 5,512

[52] [1.8. CI. ..2l4/l7 D, 214/82, 214183.36, 214/518, 298/7, 298/24 [51] Int. Cl ..B60p 1/36 [58] FieldofSearch ..214/l7 D, 82, 83.36,518; 298/7, 25, 24

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 658,600 9/ 1900 Taylor ..214/ 17 D X 1,279,089 9/1918 Dolbear ..2l4/17 D Mar. 14, 1972 1,756,091 4/1930 Jones ..298/7 X 3,193,150 7/1965 Simas 1,928,859 10/1933 Kutscha ..2l4/83.36 X

Primary ExaminerRobert G. Sheridan Attorneyl(eith S. Bergman ABSTRACT A vehicular mounted hopper, for solid fungible goods, having compound hingeably communicating side-bottom elements mechanically movable during unloading from a normal rectiplanar position to variably sloping positions, to cause product thereon to move to a medially positioned conveyor for transfer. Side-bottom element motion is accomplished by cables communicating therewith and movable by winding about an elongate shaft rotatably journaled in the opposed upper medial hopper ends or by hydraulic cylinders as disclosed in a specie. An auxiliary conveyor transfers product at a distance from the hopper.

4 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTEUMAR 14 m2 SHEET 1 UF 3 y INVENTOR.

(Dike E- Johnson,

PAIENTEUMAR 14 m2 3. 648 859 SHEET 2 UF 3 FIGZIWE 7 PATENTEDMAR 14 1972 SHEET 3 [IF 3 FIGURE .9

FIGZ/WE 10 1 \(ENTOR.

ATTORNEY COMPOUND MOVABLE-SIDED TRUCK HOPPER BACKGROUND OF INVENTION RELATED APPLICATIONS There are no applications related hereto now filed in this or any foreign country.

FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates generally to movable sided truck hoppers and more particularly to such hoppers that have compound hingeably joined side-bottom elements mechanically movable from a rectiplanar position to variable sloping positions during unloading.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART In the transport of solid fungible goods, some means of unloading the carried goods must be provided; this is especially a problem in the modern day with the advent of truck haulage of such goods oftentimes to points not having sophisticated unloading facilities. It is particularly desirable that some mechanical unloading means of relatively fast, simple operation be embodied directly in or associated with the carrier.

In response to this need, various vehicle carried conveyor systems have evolved, traversing both longitudinally and transversely of the vehicle. These conveyors are efiicient in the unloading of part of a load, but with the substantially rectiplanar hopper of the ordinary fungible carrier a substantial portion of the contained product does not pass by gravity onto a conveyor, whether medially or laterally positioned, and must therefore be unloaded by some auxiliary operation. To solve this problem it has heretofore become known to provide hoppers with rigidly fixed sloping sides generally with some cover, either partial or movable, over the conveyor so that an excess of product is not presented thereto. It has also become known to provide movable auxiliary bottom elements, the laterally outward portion of which may be raised generally prior to loading to form an angled plane sloping to a conveyor.

My invention differs from this art in providing compound, opposed, hingeably joined bottom-side elements that in normal relaxed position form a rectiplanar hopper, but may be mechanically moved while carrying a load to form planar sur faces continuously sloping toward a conveyor member. The structure further forms the peripheral side surfaces of a hopper and need not have additional supportive structures or be contained within some other bin structure. Mechanical linkage is provided, using a cable windable about a medially journaled upper rod or hydraulic cylinders, to raise the bottom-side elements through continuously variable positional stages to their ultimate angled position. The structure also allows positioning upon ordinary truck beds of commerce without substantial modification and allows use with auxiliary conveying structures common in the art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION My invention provides a self-supporting hopper structure having a medial conveyor and compound hingeably joined bottom-side elements mechanically movable from a rectiplanar position to a position continuously sloping to the medial conveyor to aid in unloading fungible bulk product.

To accomplish this, I provide a base framework to support the hopper structure upon a vehicle. A belt-type conveyor is carried in the elongate medial part of the framework to move contained product to a peripheral orifice. The conveyor may have a movable cover providing an areally variable entry to the conveyor if desired.

Sheet-like planar members of appropriate rigidly extend upwardly from the frame to form opposed parallel end elements. Compound hingeably joined bottom-side elements hingeably communicate in paired-opposed fashion with the frame, immediately laterally adjacent each side of the conveyor structure, and extend between the ends to slidably communicate therewith. An appropriate gasket communicates between the adjacent, relatively movable, surfaces of bottom-side elements and end elements.

Plural opposed cables communicate from a medial part of the bottom-side elements to move these elements inwardly and upwardly upon cable motion.

In one specie of my invention cable motion is effected by winding of the cable about an elongate rod journaled between the upper medial position of the opposed hopper ends. In another specie the cable motion is caused by vertical motion of medially carried hydraulic cylinders.

An auxiliary conveyor may communicate with the exit orifice of the internal conveyor to aid in moving product ata distance from the hopper.

The whole structure is self-contained and adapted to be carried for locomotion by a planar surface of a vehicle.

In providing such a structure it is:

A principal object of my invention to provide automated unloading hopper structure having paired, opposed, hingeably joined bottomside elements continuously movable during un-* loading from a rectiplanar position to a position sloping in a straight line downwardly and inwardly toward a medial conveyor.

A further object of my invention to provide such a hopper structure that has self-contained, cable operated meansfor,

moving the bottom-side elements.

A still further object of my invention to provide such a hopper that is self-contained and carried upon its own frame for placement upon an ordinary planar vehicle bed.

A still further object of my invention to provide such a hopper structure that allows use of an auxiliary conveyor to move product from the principal conveyor orifice in the hopper to a point distant therefrom.

A still further object of my invention to provide such a structure that is of new and novel design, of rugged and durable nature, of simple and economic manufacture, and one otherwise well adapted to the uses and purposes for which it is intended. Other and further objects of my invention will appear from the following specification and accompanying drawings which form a part of this application. In carrying out the objects of my invention, however, it is to be understood that its essential features are susceptible of change in design and structural arrangement with only one preferred and practical embodiment being illustrated in the accompanying drawings, as required.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application, and wherein like numbers of reference refer to similar parts throughout:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of my hopper structure in place upon a wagon type vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a partial isometric sectional view through the hinged connection between the two elements of the bottomside member, taken on the line 22 of FIG. I in the direction indicated by the arrows thereon.

FIG. 3 is a partial isometric sectional view through the hinged communication of bottom-side member with the frame structure taken on the line 33 of FIG. I in the direction indicated by the arrows thereon.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of my hopper, showing its various parts and an auxiliary conveyor that may be used therewith.

FIG. 5 is a transverse cross sectional view of the hopper of FIG. 4, taken on the line 5-5 of that Figure in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to that of Fig. 5, but with the bottom-side elements of my invention moved to the ultimate sloping position.

FIG. 7 is a partial isometric view of the communication between bottom-side and end elements, showing the gasket there between.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view, taken on the line 8- 8 of FIG. 4, in the direction indicated by the arrows thereon, showing the joumaling of the moving rod in the end elements and the communication of cable with the rod.

FIG. 9 is an orthographic plan view of a specie of my invention having hydraulic moving mechanism and hopper covers.

FIG. 10 is a somewhat enlarged partial elongate cross sectional view of the structure of FIG. 9, taken on line 10- 10 of that Figure in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIG. 11 is a somewhat enlarged partial transverse cross-sectional view of the structure of FIG. 9, taken on the line l1-l1 of that Figure in the direction indicated by the arrows.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in more detail and particularly to that of FIG. 1, it will there be seen that my invention generally comprises framework 10 carrying internal conveyor 11 in a medial longitudinal position and supporting upwardly extending end elements 12 and bottom-side elements 13 slidably communicating and movable by mechanical linkage 14 between the end structures.

Framework 10 includes side beams 15 joined by cross elements 16 having a medial conveyor channel defined therethrough by conveyor channel sides 17. The structure of this framework is not critical so long as it define the conveyor channel and be adequate to support the hopper structure on an appropriate supporting surface. Preferably the bottom of the framework presents a substantially planar surface to allow positioning of the structure upon the flat surface of a vehicle.

Internal conveyor 11 includes continuous conveyor belt 18, having appropriate surface configuration to convey the particular product, carried by frictional engagement about rolls l9 journaled for rotation upon frame 10 so that the belt moves within the channel defined by conveyor side 17, with its upper surface substantially coextensive with the hopper bottom. The conveyor is powered by motor 20, supported by brackets 21 on frame 10, communicating by mechanical linkage 22 with one roll 19. This type of conveyor structure is will known in the art and not new per se.

End elements 12 comprise similar paired opposed sheet-like ends 23 supported by and extending upwardly from the end parts of frame 10. These ends must be sufficiently rigid and appropriately supported to bear loads to be contained therebetween. The structure of these elements is not essential and largely a matter of choice so long as they are planar on their inwardly facing surfaces, of appropriate rigidity and of sufficient size to enclose the end space between the bottomside elements. Orifice 24 is provided in rearward end 23 to allow exit of the end of internal conveyor 11. Preferably auxiliary frame 25 is built around orifice 24 and supported by the end to protect the conveyor structure, to provide direction for product existing therefrom and to support an auxiliary conveyor, if desired. Opposed cooperating holes 26 are provided in the upper medial part of each of the end plates to carry bearings 27 joumaling the activating rod.

Bottom-side elements 13 comprise planar, sheet-like bottom 28 pivotably communicating along its upper edge with one flange of elongate piano-type hinge 29, the other flange of which communicates with the lower edge of planar sheet-like side 30. The length of these elements should be such that with allowance for gaskets, they slidably communicate between the inner surfaces of opposed ends 23; the width of bottom element 28 is such as to maintain it within the lateral extension of the ends when it is horizontal and the width of side element 30 is not greater than the upward extension of end 23 above the upper surface of frame 10, so that when all elements are assembled in relaxed position (FIG. 4, 5), a five-sided rectiplanar box adapted to hold product will be formed.

The lower-inner edge of each bottom element is pivotably joined to the upper-inner surfaces of each conveyor channel side 17 by elongate piano-type hinges 31, so that the sides may form the configuration illustrated in FIG. 5 when relaxed but may be moved to that illustrated in FIG. 6 upon extension. Side retaining rods 39 extend between the upper outer corners of the ends to limit the lateral motion of sides 30. Preferably the rods rotatably carry roller structures 40 to rollably communicate with the outer surfaces of the sides to lessen mechanical stresses and wear. This roller structure then limits the lateral motion of the portion of the sides contacting it to allow the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, and to provide additional rigidity for the loaded structure. Preferably the adjacent relatively movable surfaces of bottom-side elements 13 and end elements 12 are provided with some type of flexible gasket 32, as illustrated in FIG. 7, to provide a seal for finely particulated matter between the two elements but yet allow ready motion therebetween.

Mechanical activating linkage 14 in the manually activated specie of FIG. 4 includes elongate activating rod 33 rotatably communicating between cooperating opposed bearings 27 carried in the upper medial portion of opposed ends 23. The rod terminates in one end in handle 34 to aid its manual rotation and is releasably positionable in one particular radial position by rachet-pawl device 35 communicating between the rod and one end element 23. The rod irrotatably carries spaced wheels 36 having a grooved periphery to receive paired flexible cables 37 fastened thereto and extending to communication with the upper part of bottom elements 28, as illustrated in FIG. 4. With this structure then, if activating rod 33 be rotated, cables 37 will be rolled upon the periphery of wheels 36 to move the upper-outer portion of bottom elements 28 upwardly and inwardly to a maximum sloping position as illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 6.

Activating rod 33 might obviously be rotated by a motor (not shown) but this generally is not necessary as rod motion is not great and the difficulty of use of the motor is therefore not compensated for by what convenience it may give.

A hydraulic form of mechanical activating linkage is shown in FIGS. 9, et seq. Here opposed hydraulic cylinders 41 are positioned for vertical shaft motion in the upper medial part of each end by brackets 42. The upper portion of the cylinder piston shaft 43 carries yoke 44 communicating by turnbuckletype take-up linkage 45 with cables 37. As the cylinder piston shafts move vertically in response to activity of a hydraulic system (not shown), the medial ends of cables 37 will move vertically and thusly cause the same resultant motion of sidebottom element as described for the manually activated specie.

A movable cover may be provided for the medial conveyor, if desired, as shown in FIGS. 9, et seq. Here the cover is formed of similar opposed planar cover elements 46, each slidably carried upon bottoms 28 and adjustably movable thereover by plural hydraulic cylinders 47 to cover the conveyor orifice as desired. This feature is often desirable to prevent too great a load on the conveyor, but it is not essential to my invention.

I-Iaving thusly described the structure of my invention, its operation, uses and advantages may now be more fully understood.

To use the device a hopper is constructed as specified and placed upon some vehicle, usually a motor truck, for transpor tation. The structure, in the relaxed condition of FIG. 5, is then filled with some solid particulated product and transported to its ultimate destination.

To unload the hopper, the structure is positioned appropriately with deposition housing 25 in an appropriate position to disperse product either by gravity or to an auxiliary conveyor structure 48. In this condition motor 21 is activated to operate conveyor belt 18 to cause product in the hopper and over the conveyor to move into disposition housing structure 25. If the nature of product and conveyor be such that the conveyor may not operate with the complete load of product bearing thereon, it may be necessary to partially cover the conveyor to cut down the load before commencement of operation.

As the hopper is unloaded by the conveyor, eventually there will come a. point when product in the lateral portions of the hopper is not properly fed to the conveyor. At this point, or before if desired, cables 37 are moved by the activating means to cause bottom-side element 13 to move, the hingeable communication between the elements thereof describing an upward and inward course. This motion need be only slight to cause additional product to move, so that the entire mass of product need not be moved through any great distance and thus the total amount of work expended maintained at a low level. The motion is gradually continued as the unloading process continues until all of the product has moved downwardly over bottom-side elements and into the conveyor.

The ultimate angle of slope of bottom-side element 13, as illustrated in FIG. 6, must obviously be equal to or greater than the angle of repose of the particular product being moved, but this generally imposes no great limitation upon my structure and the requirement is readily accomplished with the ordinary fungible products of commerce.

After the unloading operation is completed the activating mechanism is moved in an opposite direction to lower the bottom-side element to the relaxed position illustrated in FIG. 5, at which point the structure is ready to receive another load.

In the foregoing description it is to be particularly noted that the bottom-side elements may be moved only slightly in increasements so that no great mass of product must be moved through any great distance and thusly the labor expended is minimum, whereas with other devices great labor is expended in moving elements bearing all or a substantial portion of the load or else the elements are prepositioned to take away a substantial amount of load space.

it is further to be noted that though only two species of mechanical activating linkage are illustrated, many other devices will serve the purposes of my invention.

The foregoing description is necessarily of a detailed nature so that a specific embodiment of my invention might be set forth as required but it is to be understood that various modifications of detail, rearrangement, and multiplication of parts may be resorted to without departing from its spirit, essence or scope.

Having thusly described my invention, what I desire to protect by Letters Patent, and

What I claim is:

l. A hopper comprising in combination:

a frame having a lower surface for support and an elongate medial conveyor channel in the upper position thereof;

an internal conveyor movable within the medial conveyor channel to transit product to one end thereof;

end elements structurally communicating with and extending upwardly in opposed parallel fashion from the opposite ends of the frame;

similar, compound, opposed, bottom-side members slidably communicating between the inner surfaces of the paired opposed ends, each member including a rectilinear bottom hingeably communicating with one side of the conveyor channel and hingeably communicating with a rectilinear side at the other edge;

paired opposed side retaining rods, communicating between the upper lateral positions of the opposed ends, laterally outward from each bottom-side member; and

cable means of continuously moving the bottom-side elements from a relaxed rectiplanar position forming a five sided hopper in cooperation with the opposed ends, to one having paired bottom-side elements coplanar and sloping to the medial conveyor channel.

2. The invention of claim 1 further characterized by a flexible gasket communicating between the relatively movable adjacent surfaces of the bottom-side elements and end elements.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the cable means of moving the bottom-side elements comprise:

an elongate activating rod journaled in the upper medial parts of the paired-opposed ends; plural, paired opposed cables irrotatably carried by the rod and extending to communicate with the upper part of the opposed bottom of the opposed bottom-side elements:

means of rotating the activating rod; and

means of maintaining the activating rod in a particular radial position.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the cable means of moving the bottom-side elements comprise:

paired opposed hydraulic cylinders carried by each end for vertical extension;

paired, opposed cables communicating from the upper piston shafts of the hydraulic cylinders to the upper part of the opposed bottoms of the opposed bottom-side elements; and

means of adjustably activating the hydraulic cylinders. 

1. A hopper comprising in combination: a frame having a lower surface for support and an elongate medial conveyor channel in the upper position thereof; an internal conveyor movable within the medial conveyor channel to transit product to one end thereof; end elements structurally communicating with and extending upwardly in opposed parallel fashion from the opposite ends of the frame; similar, compound, opposed, bottom-side members slidably communicating between the inner surfaces of the paired opposed ends, each member including a rectilinear bottom hingeably communicating with one side of the conveyor channel and hingeably communicating with a rectilinear side at the other edge; paired opposed side retaining rods, communicating betweeN the upper lateral positions of the opposed ends, laterally outward from each bottom-side member; and cable means of continuously moving the bottom-side elements from a relaxed rectiplanar position forming a five sided hopper in cooperation with the opposed ends, to one having paired bottomside elements coplanar and sloping to the medial conveyor channel.
 2. The invention of claim 1 further characterized by a flexible gasket communicating between the relatively movable adjacent surfaces of the bottom-side elements and end elements.
 3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the cable means of moving the bottom-side elements comprise: an elongate activating rod journaled in the upper medial parts of the paired-opposed ends; plural, paired opposed cables irrotatably carried by the rod and extending to communicate with the upper part of the opposed bottom of the opposed bottom-side elements: means of rotating the activating rod; and means of maintaining the activating rod in a particular radial position.
 4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the cable means of moving the bottom-side elements comprise: paired opposed hydraulic cylinders carried by each end for vertical extension; paired, opposed cables communicating from the upper piston shafts of the hydraulic cylinders to the upper part of the opposed bottoms of the opposed bottom-side elements; and means of adjustably activating the hydraulic cylinders. 